Prince of Persia. This man was an eminent instrument in the Lord's hand, for the deliverance of Israel from the Babylonish captivity. What is very remarkable and worthy the reader's attention concerning Cyrus is, that the Lord, by the spirit of prophecy, informed the church one hundred and fifty years, at least, before the captivity took place, that Cyrus was anointed to end that captivity and bring his people out of it. And that no mistake might arise, the Lord called him by his name Cyrus, then, so long before he was born. The reader will find much information on this subject by reading the forty-fifth chapter of Isaiah's prophecy, and comparing it with Ezra 1:1-11 and Daniel 6:28.
One circumstance I must beg to subjoin, because it is, in my view, very important and striking, concerning this prince of Persia, Cyrus. We plainly discover, that he was an instrument in the Lord's hand for good to the church. And we farther discover, that he was appointed to this long before he was born. And we also no less perceive, that the church was assured of this. by his name, for their comfort, under all their exercises, until the time should come. But all the while Cyrus himself felt no interest in the great event he was appointed to accomplish, and knew not the Lord. For so the Lord gives the awful accountI have surnamed thee, said the Lord to him, though thou hast not known me. And this is again repeated in the following verse. (See Isaiah 45:3-4)
Depend upon it, reader, the case of Cyrus is not singular. Multitudes are appointed to minister to the Lord's people, who neither know the Lord, nor love his people. But they shall serve the Lord's purpose, however reluctantly, did they know all, they would go about it. For rather than the Lord's poor children shall want bread, Jesus will feed them at their very enemies' table. And when they have answered the Lord's purpose, they themselves are accounted as nothing. What an awful Scripture that is of our Lord's to this amount: (Matthew 7:22) "Many will say unto me in that day, Lord! Lord! Have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name cast out devils, and in thy name done many wonderful works? To whom Jesus will say, I never knew you; depart from me!"